WordPress search doesn't index Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) values by default because they're stored in the wp_postmeta table, not the wp_posts table. To make ACF data searchable and filterable, developers can use one of three popular plugins: FacetWP (faceted navigation with Ajax, best for large datasets and complex multi-filter UIs), Search & Filter Pro (form-based filtering, quick setup for archive pages), or ACF: Better Search (expands the WordPress search index to include ACF field values). For simpler projects without Ajax requirements, a lightweight custom solution using WP_Query with meta_query arguments can filter posts by ACF field values without any plugin dependency. The right approach depends on dataset size, UI complexity, and whether Ajax-powered updates are needed.
Table of contents
Why ACF data isn’t searchable or filterable by defaultWhat is an ACF filter?Popular plugins for ACF search filtersUsing FacetWP for advanced ACF filteringUsing Search & Filter Pro for ACF search filtersHow to use ACF: Better Search to index custom field valuesWhat’s the difference between FacetWP and Search & Filter Pro?Building a custom ACF search filter with WP_QueryFAQs about ACF Search FiltersSort: